Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byJustin Shaw Modified over 7 years ago
1
King County, Washington Climate Change Adaptation Efforts
2009 Local Climate Leadership Summit Washington, D.C. May 20th, 2009 Matt Kuharic King County Program Manager, Climate Response Initiatives Department of Natural Resources and Parks
2
Presentation Outline Climate Impacts in the Pacific Northwest
What is Adaptation Planning? Adaptation Guidebook Current King County Approach Example King County Adaptation Efforts Flood Control Vulnerable Facilities Assessment Tool Transportation infrastructure Ecosystem Climate Resiliency
3
Who, Where, What is King County?
1.8 Million residents (14th largest county in U.S.) 2,134 Square Miles 39 Cities Provide local and regional services including: regional transit, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, flood control, regional parks, public health
4
Who, Where, What is King County?
Cascade Mountains, glaciers, forest, farmland, rural lands, urban coastline, rivers, big lakes, small lakes, Puget Sound, Vashon Island
5
Pacific Northwest Impacts of Climate Change
Climate changes in… Temperature Precipitation Storm frequency and intensity will impact… Snowpack Streamflow Flooding Water supply Sea level Soil water content and affect… Agriculture Stormwater Wastewater Treatment Wildfire risk Roads Hydropower Forest health Salmon and biodiversity with consequences to… Public health Economic livelihoods Financial sector Insurance industry Individual comfort Recreation Fire damage in the North Cascade Mountains A male Coho Salmon Source: Climate Impacts Group, University of Washington,
6
King County Climate Change Impacts
Energy Impacts to hydropower production (Columbia River) and regional heating & cooling degree days Salmon Productivity of streams for salmonids Flood impacts Agriculture/Economics Impacts on productivity and sustainability of agriculture I’d like to briefly describe the objectives or focus areas of each of the project sectors: Water – we are assessing impacts to rivers in terms of changes in snowpack, streamflow and other hydrologic variables as well as assess impacts to regional water management - in conjunction with another related project, we will be producing 100-year hydrologic scenarios, based on the 40 ensembles of future climate, at over 200 locations in the PNW Energy – we are assessing impacts to hydropower production, as hydropower produces a majority of power for Washington State. We are also evaluating changes in heating and cooling degree days. Salmon – We are assessing the productivity of the state’s salmon bearing streams and evaluating conditions that make salmon habitat most vulnerable. 6
7
King County Climate Change Impacts
Forests Impacts to growth and productivity of forests and their susceptibility to fire and insect disturbance Infrastructure Impacts on vulnerable elements of civil infrastructure (stormwater systems) Consider precipitation variability and flood frequency/magnitude Health Impacts of ozone and particulate matter on childhood asthma Heat stress and potential increases in mortality Infrastructure – We are focusing on stormwater systems and how they might be impacted by increased precipitation variability (flood frequency/volume). Health - We are focusing on two areas where we may quantify impacts and these include impacts of ozone and particulate matter on childhood asthma as well as increased heat stress and potential increases in mortality. (Feb.17, 2009) -- If nothing is done to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Washington is likely to experience some $3.8 billion in associated annual costs -- including $1.3 billion in health related costs alone. That will translate to about 2 percent of median annual household income by 2020, according to a report produced for the University of Oregon's Climate Leadership Initiative's Program on Climate Economics by ECONorthwest. 7
8
What is adaptive planning?
Planning with the understanding that… History may no longer be a guide to the future We must prepare for change in built, human and natural systems We must be smart about what we build and where “The key is to listen to scientists, not politicians.” – Former King County Executive Ron Sims, US News and World Report, June 5, 2006
9
Preparing for Climate Change Guidebook
University of Washington Climate Impacts Group King County (WA) Published by ICLEI - USA Compliments ICLEI’s “Climate Resilient Communities” Program Google: King County Climate Change Guidebook
10
Like Eating and Drinking
Mitigation Stabilizing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases by reducing emissions across sectors Adaptation Ensuring the resilience of communities to the consequences of inevitable climate change “In essence, mitigation is our number one preparedness strategy. If we do not stop the growth of eventually reverse greenhouse gas emissions, then our opportunity to adapt will be limited by the rapid pace of climate change.” Former King County Executive Ron Sims Many mitigation strategies are also adaptation strategies
11
2007 King County Climate Plan
Provides an overview of strategies in both emissions reduction and preparedness Sets a process in motion Builds on over 15 years of efforts Sets a process in motion – doesn’t have to be perfect the first time “Collect the jewels off the field”
12
2008 King County Comprehensive Plan
Assessment; Mitigation; Adaptation; Collaboration Collaborate with local governments in the region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2007 levels by 2050. Reduce net carbon emissions from county operations by 6% below 2000 emissions by 2010. Various sections direct departments to include consideration of impacts from climate change in plans and projects
13
How is King County Adaptation Preparation and Planning Going?
Take time to think comprehensively - not just one meeting.
14
Example of King County’s Adaptation Efforts
Comprehensive Planning Flood Planning Reclaimed Water Efforts Wastewater Treatment Division Asset Management Transportation Infrastructure Carbon Sequestration and Ecosystem Resiliency on Public and Private Lands Brightwater Treatment Plant construction West Point Treatment Plant Seattle, Washington
15
Flood Control Rather than wait for disaster to loom, Sims argued last week, "Let's make the investments and prevent it." That investment would amount to as much as... $30 a year on a $300,000 home. It would seem to be the cheapest insurance a homeowner could buy. Cedar Grove Mobile home park. Flooded 3 times in the 1990’s alone.
16
Flood Plan Up to $335 million to improve King County’s system of 500 levees County purchase of most susceptible lands Cedar Grove Mobile home park. Flooded 3 times in the 1990’s alone.
17
Reclaimed Water from Wastewater Treatment
Creating resources from wastewater Continue and improve WTD’s existing reclaimed water programs Develop markets for reclaimed water Complete a Draft Reclaimed Water Comprehensive Plan by 2011
18
Vulnerability of Wastewater Facilities to Flooding from Sea-Level Rise
Identify Wastewater facilities impacted by storm surge/sea level rise (above extreme high water) Develop and conduct GIS based methodology combining sea level rise projections + storm surge, compared to facility elevations Identify the impact threshold (problematic at what level) Characterize the impact (on-site flooding, hydraulic, operational)
19
Adaptation and Planning Response Vulnerable Facilities Inventory cont’d.
Conduct terrain analysis of five lowest sites and West Point Treatment Plant. Raise elevation of Brightwater sampling facility and flow monitor vault sites. Raise weir height and install outfall flap gate for Barton Pump Station improvements. Used GIS to identify vulnerable areas along coast line (project area in white) Facilities subject to tidal and storm impacts 40 facilities included One Secondary TP, Three CSO TPs (red/orange) Pump stations (green) Regulator stations (blue)
20
Vulnerable Facilities Inventory Results and Recommendations
Conduct analysis of sea-level rise impacts on system hydraulics. Identify adaptive strategies for affected facilities (i.e., protective berms, armoring, relocation, etc.) Include findings in routine asset management improvements, capacity planning and facility design Review sea-level rise literature every five years and address in five year updates to conveyance system plan. Vulnerable Facilities Assessment Tool Available:
21
King County Transportation Infrastructure
New $24 million Tolt Bridge spanning the Snoqualmie River has been built with longer spans than the previous bridge, increasing its capacity to withstand high flows and major flooding events More than 57 smaller "short span" bridges are planned to be replaced with wider span structures, allowing debris and floodwater to pass underneath without backing up river levels Culverts that will increasingly be at risk of chronic flooding and road failure, and would cause destruction of fish habitat during storm events – will be replaced with larger systems not only to prevent roads from failing, but also to improve fish passage
22
Community Forestry Climate Response and Preparedness (CPR) Program
Opportunities on public and private lands to increase carbon sequestration and improve ecosystem resiliency Virtually all of the lands have depleted soils and degraded vegetation: Soil carbon declines of 60 to 70%; Soil structure lost; Significant resource in organic residuals: Bio-solids, food waste, yard waste, woody debris Public Lands: Establishing test plots at the Vashon Island landfill borrow pit Private Lands: Document and incorporate the public benefit that climate friendly land management activities provide. Over 30,000 acres of public land 20,000 acres of farm and forest resource lands; 5,000 acres of ecological lands; 7500+ acres of derelict lands—pits, storage sites;
23
Recent Storm Events January 2009
Snoqualmie Valley Farmland Hyak Ski Area Snoqualmie Falls Downtown Snoqualmie
24
Conclusion We can and must plan with “less than perfect” information
Focus on reducing vulnerabilities and risks Establish institutions and partnerships to deal with climate change impacts on an ongoing basis Remain flexible and expect surprises Mitigation and adaptation are urgently needed now
25
References
26
King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Contact: Matt Kuharic King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks
27
Preparing for Climate Change Suggested Steps
Initiate a climate planning effort Listen to the science Scope the impacts to your sectors Build support – and build a team Identify planning areas most affected by climate change Conduct a climate resiliency study Set goals and develop your plan Implement your plan Measure progress Drawn from Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional and State Governments, by the Climate Impacts Group and King County, and published by ICLEI – September 2007
28
Resources needed and bigger picture action
Funding for projects like sea level rise online mapping tool More preparedness trainings for local governments, according to climate change impact areas A National Climate Service to provide climate science that is actionable for public policy and infrastructure decisions
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.